A group of Hull schoolchildren were caught up in the aftermath of an incident which left London’s Natural History Museum in lockdown.

The pupils from Hall Road Academy in north Hull were on a trip of a lifetime in the capital. They were due to spend the night in the museum before a car ploughed into pedestrians outside the attraction leaving 11 people hurt.

The authorities were initially concerned it was a terrorist attack but the Metropolitan Police later confirmed this was not the case.

But the incident meant the museum closed which left the year six Hull pupils with nowhere to stay during the trip, organised by the Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University.

Children from Hull Road Academy during their trip to London (Image: HEY Children's University)

However, Hull Trains stepped in to save the day and put on an extra carriage late at night to get the children home.

In order to be able to bring the children back, Hull Trains booked out the unreserved carriage to accommodate all the children, seated together, on the 7.48pm service back to Hull.

The Hull Trains team also met the children on the platform at Kings Cross to help them board the train early so they could all get settled together.

Hull Trains managing director Will Dunnett said: “When we heard about the incident at the Natural History Museum our team reacted instantly to ensure that we could bring the children back to Hull that evening, still seated together in the same carriage.

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“While this was an upsetting incident, I think it is another display of the Hull spirit and camaraderie that we have.

“Our on board team were fantastic, making the children feel special and making up goodie bags to keep them entertained. I’d like to personally thank our team, Lucy, Gary and Sue for all their help and efforts.”

A man arrested following the crash outside the museum has been released under investigation. The 47-year-old had been questioned on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Eleven people suffered non-life threatening injuries in the incident, involving a Black Toyota Prius, in South Kensington on Saturday.

Parents were quick to praise both Hull Trains and the Children’s University for the way they looked after the children.

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One parent said: “Hull Trains has helped by putting an extra carriage on so the Hall Road kids and staff were able to get home safely so massive thanks to them.

“I know the staff with the children did all they could to protect the kids and make other arrangements and I can imagine they were under a lot of pressure. Everyone did brilliantly to ensure the children were safe.”

Another parent praised the staff at the Children’s University.

She tweeted: “Children's Uni staff are nothing other than outstanding. Thank you.”

The HEY Children’s University also tweeted its thanks to both its staff and Hull Trains.

It said: “A huge thanks to the amazing Mark Stockdale and our volunteers on the London trip today for keeping the children safe and happy.

“Thank you Hull Trains for arranging to bring the children back to Hull and making them goodie bags. Fantastic company with amazing people!”

The scene following the incident on Exhibition Road

Saturday's incident took place at about 2.20pm which initially sparked panic in an area popular with families and tourists.

Armed police were deployed and video footage quickly emerged showing a man, believed to be the driver, being restrained on the ground. However, the Met later said its inquiry was "entirely a road traffic investigation".